Thursday, 25 July 2013

Liverpool: Five attacking midfield targets for Rodgers to consider

Learning from the disastrous transfer campaign in his first summer, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is keen to avoid a repeat fiasco. As the club have so far acted quickly in serving to strengthen the squad.

The Reds have already brought in Luis Alberto, Iago Aspas, Simon Mignolet and Kolo Toure since the transfer window opened, but missed out on rumoured primary target Henrikh Mkhitaryan to Borussia Dortmund. The Armenian midfielder being a promising attacking talent who is tactically astute and blessed with superb finishing; as 25 league goals in his previous campaign will attest.

Regardless of whether the squad as currently constituted needs another attacking midfielder, the manager is intent on reinforcing this area of the squad (making it pointless to remind everyone that Liverpool scored 71 league goals!). So to address the attacking midfield, Liverpool must find a replacement target for Henrikh Mkhitarxylophoneyan.

And with Rodgers recently promising the supporters that he will bring in more exciting players; the manager should have his eye on these five players:

Bernard, 20, Atlético Mineiro

Already at his age Bernard appears ready for a prominent role in Luiz Felipe Scolari’s plans for the Brazilian national team. The little Brazilian is a left-sided player known for his pace and energy. He is exceptionally quick and possesses typical South American close control, while it doesn’t hurt that he is able to learn from Ronaldinho every day in training.

But at 5’ 4’’, he might not be suitable for the physical style of the Premier League. Although if he can replicate Ronaldinho’s ability to glide past defenders, he will be a hit.

Ivan Rakitić, 25, Sevilla

All the cash-strapped clubs in Spain are continually looking to sell, and Sevilla are no different; having already sold Luis Alberto to Liverpool earlier in the summer. But could the Reds pull a double swoop and sign Rakitić as well?

The versatile player is adept in all positions across the midfield, even physical enough for a defensive holding role. Renowned as one of the best long passers in the game, Rakitić is also clever in the box, able to get himself in the right position to hit any loose ball home for a goal. His range of passing, physicality and creativity would be welcome in any side.

Sergio Canales, 22, Valencia

Valencia are a club that has remarkably been able to stay perennially competitive for Champions League qualification in Spain, all while selling every one of their star players. David Villa, David Silva, Juan Mata, Jordi Alba, and soon to be Roberto Soldado, have left for huge fees, yet Valencia stay competitive. And that is all due to the club’s ability to find the next great player. Well, Canales is one of the new stars at the Mestalla.

Canales has long been touted as the next great Spanish midfielder. He was even snapped up by Real Madrid after his first season in La Liga; which was considered a major acquisition at the time. But unfortunately his career has been blighted and stalled by major injury at every turn.

A truly clever player on the ball, Canales would bring an elegant quality to the Reds attack if he joined the rest of the Spanish Armada forming at Anfield.

Antoine Griezmann, 22, Real Sociedad

Griezmann is French footballer who currently plays for Spanish club Real Sociedad. This past term he combined exceptionally well with new £34 million Real Madrid signing Illarramendi; leading the club to a very unexpected Champions League qualification.

The French playmaker is mainly deployed as a left winger, but can also be utilized as a support striker. Griezmann is known for his technical skill, quick acceleration and dribbling. Regarded as the next star to play for the French national team, he has represented his country at every youth level.

Christian Eriksen, 21, Ajax

The Dane has been developed by the legendary Ajax youth acadamy and has certainly graduated with honours. The youngest player taken to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Eriksen is a traditional "number 10".

Former Ajax and current Fulham manager Martin Jol compared him to the likes of fellow Ajax youth products Wesley Sneijder and Rafael van der Vaart. And if he is anything like those players, he would represent a massive bargain.

Eriksen has just one year remaining on his current contract at the Amsterdam Arena and looks set to leave before the end of the transfer window. Liverpool must move quickly, because rumours are also linking him to AC Milan.

So there you have it. Five quality players who would certainly be a major addition to Brendan Rodgers' side. With Luis Suarez being given permission to talk to Arsenal about a possible move - although the Reds are still looking for £50m - Rodgers may have even more in the pot to play with this window.

Calling all Liverpool fans: Who would you like to see arrive at Anfield? Do you believe another attacking midfielder is what the club needs? How confident are you of the season ahead? Whatever your views we'd love to hear from you.

Remember to join our free fantasy football competition. Register your details at fantasy.premierleague.com and enter our league with this unique code: 208169-57033

We also have a community on Google+. Come and join us at Squarefootball and get involved!

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Liverpool: Five attacking midfield targets for Rodgers to consider

Learning from the disastrous transfer campaign in his first summer, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is keen to avoid a repeat fiasco. As the club have so far acted quickly in serving to strengthen the squad.

The Reds have already brought in Luis Alberto, Iago Aspas, Simon Mignolet and Kolo Toure since the transfer window opened, but missed out on rumoured primary target Henrikh Mkhitaryan to Borussia Dortmund. The Armenian midfielder being a promising attacking talent who is tactically astute and blessed with superb finishing; as 25 league goals in his previous campaign will attest.

Regardless of whether the squad as currently constituted needs another attacking midfielder, the manager is intent on reinforcing this area of the squad (making it pointless to remind everyone that Liverpool scored 71 league goals!). So to address the attacking midfield, Liverpool must find a replacement target for Henrikh Mkhitarxylophoneyan.

And with Rodgers recently promising the supporters that he will bring in more exciting players; the manager should have his eye on these five players:

Bernard, 20, Atlético Mineiro

Already at his age Bernard appears ready for a prominent role in Luiz Felipe Scolari’s plans for the Brazilian national team. The little Brazilian is a left-sided player known for his pace and energy. He is exceptionally quick and possesses typical South American close control, while it doesn’t hurt that he is able to learn from Ronaldinho every day in training.

But at 5’ 4’’, he might not be suitable for the physical style of the Premier League. Although if he can replicate Ronaldinho’s ability to glide past defenders, he will be a hit.

Ivan Rakitić, 25, Sevilla

All the cash-strapped clubs in Spain are continually looking to sell, and Sevilla are no different; having already sold Luis Alberto to Liverpool earlier in the summer. But could the Reds pull a double swoop and sign Rakitić as well?

The versatile player is adept in all positions across the midfield, even physical enough for a defensive holding role. Renowned as one of the best long passers in the game, Rakitić is also clever in the box, able to get himself in the right position to hit any loose ball home for a goal. His range of passing, physicality and creativity would be welcome in any side.

Sergio Canales, 22, Valencia

Valencia are a club that has remarkably been able to stay perennially competitive for Champions League qualification in Spain, all while selling every one of their star players. David Villa, David Silva, Juan Mata, Jordi Alba, and soon to be Roberto Soldado, have left for huge fees, yet Valencia stay competitive. And that is all due to the club’s ability to find the next great player. Well, Canales is one of the new stars at the Mestalla.

Canales has long been touted as the next great Spanish midfielder. He was even snapped up by Real Madrid after his first season in La Liga; which was considered a major acquisition at the time. But unfortunately his career has been blighted and stalled by major injury at every turn.

A truly clever player on the ball, Canales would bring an elegant quality to the Reds attack if he joined the rest of the Spanish Armada forming at Anfield.

Antoine Griezmann, 22, Real Sociedad

Griezmann is French footballer who currently plays for Spanish club Real Sociedad. This past term he combined exceptionally well with new £34 million Real Madrid signing Illarramendi; leading the club to a very unexpected Champions League qualification.

The French playmaker is mainly deployed as a left winger, but can also be utilized as a support striker. Griezmann is known for his technical skill, quick acceleration and dribbling. Regarded as the next star to play for the French national team, he has represented his country at every youth level.

Christian Eriksen, 21, Ajax

The Dane has been developed by the legendary Ajax youth acadamy and has certainly graduated with honours. The youngest player taken to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Eriksen is a traditional "number 10".

Former Ajax and current Fulham manager Martin Jol compared him to the likes of fellow Ajax youth products Wesley Sneijder and Rafael van der Vaart. And if he is anything like those players, he would represent a massive bargain.

Eriksen has just one year remaining on his current contract at the Amsterdam Arena and looks set to leave before the end of the transfer window. Liverpool must move quickly, because rumours are also linking him to AC Milan.

So there you have it. Five quality players who would certainly be a major addition to Brendan Rodgers' side. With Luis Suarez being given permission to talk to Arsenal about a possible move - although the Reds are still looking for £50m - Rodgers may have even more in the pot to play with this window.

Calling all Liverpool fans: Who would you like to see arrive at Anfield? Do you believe another attacking midfielder is what the club needs? How confident are you of the season ahead? Whatever your views we'd love to hear from you.

Remember to join our free fantasy football competition. Register your details at fantasy.premierleague.com and enter our league with this unique code: 208169-57033

We also have a community on Google+. Come and join us at Squarefootball and get involved!